NCNatural's North Carolina National Forests-Off Road Vehicle Information

North Carolina National Forests
Forest Use Tips - Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV's)

Tread Lightly

The National Forest Service charges a fee for Off-Highway Vehicle use in the designated OHV areas of North Carolina's National Forests. Check in with the District Rangers before riding.

The NFS offers four areas in NC where you can ride OHV's, incl. all-terrain vehicles (ATV's), 4-wheel drive vehicles and dirt bikes. Within these areas you must stay on signed routes marked with the symbols showing the kind of OHV you are driving. Some routes may be closed because of erosion or for other reasons. Please allow nature to restore these areas by not riding on them.

Also be aware that there may be hikers, bikers or horses sharing the same trails. Please follow these tips for treading lightly and respectfully;

Travel only on routes designated for your OHV's. Cross-country travel is prohibited.
Ride responsibly to protect against erosion. Stay on the road or trail. Don't shortcut trails. Avoid wheel spins and wet trails.
Keep down the noise. Many people go to the forest to get away from noise. Get the quietest machine you can, then make it quieter.
Stop when you encounter hikers, bikes, and horses, and determine the best way to pass.
Don't harass wildlife!
Make sure your spark arrester is working properly. You are responsible for any fire you start.

The national forests offer four areas where you can experience the challenge of riding an off-highway vehicle (OHV). Within these areas you must stay on the signed routes marked with symbols showing the kind or OHV allowed. Some routes are badly eroded and have been closed to heal. Help nature restore these sites by not riding on them.

AREA	LOCATION	USER TYPE	TRAIL MILES	SEASON
Mountains:
Upper Tellico Upper Tellico’s 8,000 acres are known for great four-wheeling. The Tellico River crosses this high-elevation basin’s rugged, steep terrain. Most trails are open to all types of off-highway vehicles; one trail is restricted to all-terrain vehicles only. Many trails are rough and challenging, requiring front and rear tow hooks, special tires, and other features on 4-wheel drive vehicles. Only the access road is rated as easy.	Nantahala/Tusquitee Dist. Upper Tellico is on the Tennessee State line about 13 miles north of Murphy.	ALL: ATV, dirt bike, 4WD	40	All Year
Wayehutta ATV Area (Roy Taylor Forest) Most trails are steep, rough, and rated as moderate or difficult. See also the NFS brochure on ORV's in the Roy A. Taylor forest (in PDF format) - includes maps of trails.	Nantahala/Highlands Dist. (East of Sylva)	ATV, dirt bike	21	4/1 - 12/15
Brown Mountain Get the NFS brochure for the Brown Mountain ORV area (in PDF format)	Pisgah/Grandfather Dist. (West of Lenoir)	Mostly ATV & dirt bike	33.5	3/16 - 1/1
UWHARRIE
Baden Lake Info from the National Forest Service: Main Uwharrie Page Uwharrie Off-Road Vehicle Trails & Tips Seasonal ORV Trail Closures	NE of Albemarle	ALL: ATV, dirtbike, limited 4WD	16	4/1 - 12/15

Maps
To order maps of the National Forests, visit http://www.cradleofforestry.com/store//c2.html or call (800) 660-0671